Voltaire

The progress of rivers to the ocean is not so rapid as that of man to error.

It is said that the present is pregnant with the future.

The instruction we find in books is like fire. We fetch it from our neighbours, kindle it at home, communicate it to others, and it becomes the property of all.

Illusion is the first of all pleasures.

The mouth obeys poorly when the heart murmurs.

The ideal form of government is democracy tempered with assassination.

It is not where you start but how high you aim that matters for success.

There are two tragedies in life. One is not to get your heart’s desire. The other is to get it.

Fame is the perfume of heroic deeds.

We are all alike, on the inside.

The sky is the daily bread of the eyes.

No man but a blockhead ever wrote, except for money.

Curiosity is one of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous intellect.

Passion is a sort of fever in the mind, which ever leaves us weaker than it found us.

Syllables govern the world.

I don’t do quagmires.

Boldness is ever blind, for it sees not dangers and inconveniences whence it is bad in council though good in execution.

The key to the age may be this, or that, or the other, as the young orators describe; the key to all ages is – Imbecility; imbecility in the vast majority of men, at all times, and, even in heroes, in all but certain eminent moments; victims of gravity, custom, and fear.

He looks the whole world in the face for he owes not any man.

Talent for talent’s sake is a bauble and a show. Talent working with joy in the cause of universal truth lifts the possessor to new power as a benefactor.

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.